Dynamics of Women Empowerment: A Qualitative Investigation of Gender-based Discriminatory Practices in Punjab, Pakistan

Abstract

The paper intends to explore the way toward gender equality and greater empowerment of women in traditional and diverse societies like the province of Punjab, by exploring the key contributing dynamics forces that are supportive to accomplish the goal of empowerment. The paper adopts a qualitative research design to investigate the selected problem. The case study method is selected by the researcher. In a diverse and traditional society patrilineal tendencies, manifold cultural patterns, lack of resources, religious dogmas, and their multiple interpretations make the understanding of the term more ambiguous. They explored key barriers that include low access to educational, health, and financial resources, less awareness of legal rights, low self-esteem, passive role of the state, and inactive role of women voters and representatives in political activities and decision-making process. Gradual social transformation, re-distribution of power in social and political structures, re-defining the gender roles and responsibilities, ensuring women’s share in inherited financial assets, support of male, formation of self-help groups, allocation of general seats in elections, and definition of the scope of work for reserve seat holders is mandatory to accomplish the goal of empowerment.